Wendi Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Okay, so I really do have OCD; I'm not just one of those people who says they have OCD in a jokey way because they keep their house really tidy and are picky about stuff. (Just wanted to say that up front.) When I need to buy something, I often have a hard time just settling on an item. I can't make up my mind. I will research and compare items forever. It's like I'm afraid that, if I buy THIS one, next month I will see the ABSOLUTE PERFECT ONE I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT. So I get stuck in indecision mode. Lately, it's knives. I posted about this awhile back, asking for some suggestions. I got busy and didn't really pursue it, but recently I decided to do a little research and get some good knives. Well, I have spent hours the past week or two trying to decide! I just cannot figure it out. (I did resolve it for now by buying a $20 santoku knife at Target - it's pretty decent - so I don't feel pressured to rush into anything. I'll try to save up, and get a set in a few months. I also spent quite a bit of time looking at dishes online. Thankfully, I ordered a place setting of Fiestaware to "try it out", and LOVE it. So I'm going to order a set in mixed colors. But most decisions take forever. The internet is both a blessing and a curse. Am I the only one? Wendi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momof3littles Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I can relate and I do not have OCD, fwiw. I think it is decision paralysis and the whole paradox of choice thing for me. I research larger purchases so thoroughly that I end up being hesitant to buy at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mabeline Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I don't have OCD but, I do that too. I wanted to buy myself a purse last year and ended up looking at so many different options that I ended up using up my gift card before I decided on a purse. This year I got another gift card. I looked and chose three. I looked and debated for 3 weeks then I just asked my sister for advice and just went with the one she chose. I love my purse. Although sometimes I do start second guessing myself and think I should have gotten a different style. I am trying really hard to just let it go. Maybe I have a touch of OCD, I'm not sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mandamom Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I do this and both of my parents do it, too and as a result both of my sisters do it. I've also taught my kids to do it. None of us is OCD. I do hate spending money frivalously so I am always careful to make the best decision that I can. As a result I tend to not own very many things. My dh is very impulsive (ADHD) when it comes to shopping so there have been a few times that I've just told him to make the decision. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmama Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 You aren't the only one. I, too, have trouble making decisions. I want things to be just right, but it takes so. much. time. to make that happen. I finally asked dh how he is able to find just the right thing so easily, while I struggle so much over my purchases. He told me that usually he doesn't find exactly what he wants, that he simply settles for something that will work so he can use his time on more important pursuits. Oh. :001_huh: At least in theory, I like that idea, and I'm working on learning how to do it. I hope someday to be half as good at it as dh! (Applied to your situation, I would buy whatever set of knives might work just fine from Target on my next trip and save my time for finding just the right tablecloth to go with the new Fiestaware. :)) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suppleasthewind Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I do that too. Right now I have a blank white wall in my living room and have been thinking about what pictures and frames to use for it. I will probably spend another month thinking about it before I go ahead and buy anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXMomof4 Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 My husband has OCD and does this. Our TV was damaged in our last move and we finally got money to replace it. He has been online for hours looking at tvs, reading reviews, comparing prices, going to the store to look at different tvs. It never crosses my mind to do that - I find one I like at the price I like and buy. It doesn't help that we'll be moving overseas and I don't want to buy a tv before we go so I'm not encouraging him to buy anything at all right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trlt Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have OCD and I do the exact same thing. Sometimes I will be at the store (after having done extensive research on something) and I will absolutely agonize over it. After purchasing something I will worry that I will find the perfect one that I should have bought (as you mentioned you do, as well). It's so frustrating because I don't want to be like that, I can't help it! *Sigh* You are right, the internet is a curse. What I have done, and DH helps me a lot in doing this, is that when I do purchase something I absolutely do not look for that item again so I won't decide that I should have gotten a different one. I have been known to be absolutely sick after buying something that I wanted because I worry that I made the wrong choice. DH also helps because if he knows that I have wanted something but can't decide he will surprise me with it and for some reason if it is a gift I do not stress about if it is the perfect one for me. He doesn't just go out and buy something if I mention it, he looks into it to make sure it's a good choice but doesn't go to extremes like me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I don't have OCD (that I know of), but I definitely do this. It is a very stressful thing for me. I also hardly ever spend gift cards, because I'm always afraid that I'll find something I want more and wish I hadn't spent the money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I am extremely indecisive when it comes to anything for me. I have OCD tendencies but don't meet the criteria for the full diagnosis as per DSM. That isn't to say I can impulse buy but I tend to impulse shop but not buy. My tendencies and indecision is one reason I tend to shop extremely early for birthdays and Christmas. I can't ever just settle so I research for months and then when I find something perfect I'm like buy. I have extreme anxiety about buying stuff though, especially for myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k2bdeutmeyer Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I am extremely indecisive when it comes to anything for me. I have OCD tendencies but don't meet the criteria for the full diagnosis as per DSM. That isn't to say I can impulse buy but I tend to impulse shop but not buy. My tendencies and indecision is one reason I tend to shop extremely early for birthdays and Christmas. I can't ever just settle so I research for months and then when I find something perfect I'm like buy. I have extreme anxiety about buying stuff though, especially for myself :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jillian Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 :iagree: Glad I'm not the only one. DH has to take charge and essentially order me to buy something. Like he was saying get yourself some new tee-shirts since I was ordering some new sandals from Under Armour (Love Love Love them). I was all I don't know.....maybe....no I shouldn't. On and on out loud. Finally he just said buy them or I am picking them for you. Ultimately I am happy with the stuff I bought, 2 tees and a pair of flip flops but without him I wouldn't have bought anything at all, though I would've filled the cart over and over again for months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3browneyedboys4me Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have OCD and I use to do this. :) Mine was more with medical situations for my kids but it did eventually lead to other issues. I decided that the best thing for me is to NOT use the internet. I know that sounds crazy but it worked for me. I will do some research on things and I often let me husband do research on our household items, but at the end of the day, I just give myself a little time to research and then make my decision. I have discovered that i need to be flexible with my options and change when necessary. I think the hardest part is being a perfectionist and having OCD!! :confused: Hang in there and just limit your online research time and give yourself permission to resale and repurchase as you need to! It's no big deal! Don't be a slave to the internet. Use it to help you and you can only make the best decision at that time. If something better comes along (and it always does) then, you can purchase it if you need it. I think the hardest part of this is you can't win. The internet is constantly changing and adding info that you can use to help you make your purchases. I think the only way to really keep it in perspective is just limit your research time and options and make your decisions based on the amount of time you give yourself and your budget. And, like always, more isn't better. Just keep that in mind. Just bc you have all this info at your fingertips doesn't mean it's the best thing. HTH!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trish Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 Could you add a deadline to your routine? Tell yourself time is money, so the more time you spend comparing, the higher the price of the item in "real terms." Give yourself a specific amount of time to research, and no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommymilkies Posted February 28, 2012 Share Posted February 28, 2012 I have diagnosed OCD, and I also get a little put off when they assume that means my house is sterile. I wish it were cleaner! Really it mostly means I get "stuck" in my head on something. Rituals, decisions, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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